80 Viral Tweets From the Parkland Survivors That Started a Movement

Emma Gonzalez, one of the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, has a growing Twitter following. In fact, her follower count is surging so quickly that the student gun-control activist now has more followers than the NRA—and that's after posting the first update from her Emma4Change account just over a week ago, on February 19. At the time of writing, the NRA's official account had 593,000 followers, while Gonzalez had 1.06 million.

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Gonzalez has used Twitter as a key communication tool, as have fellow survivors including Cameron Kasky, Sarah Chadwick, and David Hogg; they've swiftly harnessed the social platform's immediacy, versatility, and wide reach to share their experiences after the horrific shooting, which claimed 17 lives.

Reading these teens on Twitter has so far been a sheer masterclass in how to make change happen. (And if you need a guide for how to do just that, here you go.) The tweets are satisfying, raw, responsive, and pointed; it's no surprise they've made an impact, and it's to be hoped the extraordinary activists who wrote them will continue to do so. Here are some of the most memorable, far-reaching tweets from the MSD students.

Emma Gonzalez

A gentle reminder that all we are aiming for here is stricter gun laws that make it harder for people to get guns (because it shouldn't be easier than getting a drivers license) and the removal of Military Grade Weapons from Civilian Society. #BanAssaultRifles#GunContolNow

Good Morning! It's a beautiful day to remember that teachers shouldn't have to worry about anything except their Home Life and Educating their Students 🙃 (and maybe sometimes planning ice cream parties but thats just me)

Please, so many of us are suffering from PTSD (it's only made things worse for those who live close to school). The only thing that should be over head are the souls of our dearly departed Eagles ♥️ 🦅 ♥️ https://t.co/za2pTdguq9

Noticed @waynelapierrejr that when you mentioned the Declaration of Independence, you talked a lot about liberties and the pursuit of happiness - but never about Life. Do we not deserve the Right To Live anymore? Can we take this as a Protect-Guns-not-Students message?

You don’t get the feeling we get in our stomachs every time we look at that building or hear his name. The number 17 isn’t different for you like it is for us now. You don’t understand so don’t tell us how we should be acting. 2/2

Dear Donald Trump, I’m the 16 year old girl who tweeted you and told you i didn’t want your condolences, I wanted gun control, and went viral because of it. I heard you’re coming to my community soon and I would like to express my opinions on gun control to you face to face.

Hey Jack! Just wanted to let you know that, yes! Us 17yrs really are planning a nationwide rally! It’s crazy what determination, and a strong work ethic can lead to! But I mean you have neither of those things so I wouldn’t expect you to understand. https://t.co/SM6BThmIqv

To those following our message, please remember the difference between the NRA as an organization and the members of the NRA. The vast majority of NRA members are decent people. Patriots. Our issue is not with them individually.#NeverAgain#MarchForOurLives

To the filthy scumbags tweeting out trying to gather up dirt on @Emma4Change... please contact me. I have PLENTY. Emma I’m sorry love but this is business. You’re going down #NeverAgain#MarchForOurLives

Temporarily got off Facebook because there’s no character count so the death threats from the @NRA cultists are a bit more graphic than those on twitter. Will be back when I have the time for it. Busy getting my feelings hurt by fellow teenagers at Br**tb*rt

I just want to thank @justinbieber for being so kind to our movement since last night. He and I had some trouble because my third grade girlfriend was much more interested in him than she was in me, but he and I have gotten over that. We have each other. #NeverAgain

David Hogg

Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg: "I wanted to make sure that even if our souls were left behind on that classroom floor, our voices would echo on to the halls of Congress." pic.twitter.com/T2rVSJXGTW

This is atrocious, golf over children's blood?!?! What does that say about our future. You are either for or against the children and right now your against them. This is why we must take action because these politicians won't. @realDonaldTrumphttps://t.co/fCwq7xK2bK

Let's make a deal DO NOT come to Florida for spring break unless gun legislation is passed. These politions won't listen to us so maybe the'll listen to the billion dollar tourism industry in FL. #neveragain

Here's a radical idea, how about we don't spend money on arming teachers we spend it educating students in S.T.E.M. so people like @KyleJeter can do more cool stuff and we'll be able to create jobs in renewable, clean and independent American energy like wind and solar.

To every one of you asking how you can support the movement: If you can, when you can, vote. Vote those taking money from the NRA out of office. Vote on every level. Keep corrupt politicians from EVER making it to the national level. That is your responsibility.

Incredibly grateful for @marcorubio and his appearance today. It takes a lot to go to a place where you know you won’t be welcomed. He wasn’t perfect, but he was open to listening and that is a small but important start.

Jaclyn Corin

I am Jaclyn Corin, a survivor of the Parkland shooting. I am working with the #NeverAgain movement to bring change to my state, my country, and the world. Thank you all for the continuous love and support.

One hundred of my classmates and I will be traveling to Tallahassee this Tuesday and Wednesday to speak with our State Senators and House of Representative members. We are so grateful to have this opportunity to advocate for gun control, mental health, school safety, & more.

You’re missing the point. We don’t want to take away your gun rights, we just want to prevent Americans from owning assault weapons and to tighten the methods at which a person can purchase a firearm. Sorry, @NRA, the children are winning. Thoughts and prayers. https://t.co/ARLaqjSuMM

My own friend was labeled as the shooter for a few minutes - he was handcuffed and guns were pointed at him. What do you think could’ve happened if a teacher had a firearm and came to a conclusion too fast??

My classmates and I will be focusing on these bills. We are not yet allowed to bring about our own, but that does not mean we can’t introduce our own ideas - DON’T WORRY! Our hope is that the Senate may have a special session in the future using our suggestions for new bills. pic.twitter.com/6wFK3dhZyC

We are KIDS - not actors. We are KIDS that have grown up in Parkland all of our lives. We are KIDS who feared for our lives while someone shot up our school. We are KIDS working to prevent this from happening again. WE ARE KIDS.

One hundred of my classmates and I will be traveling to Tallahassee this Tuesday and Wednesday to speak with our State Senators and House of Representative members. We are so grateful to have this opportunity to advocate for gun control, mental health, school safety, & more.

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